Sabine Freizer Gunes

UN Women Rep in Ukraine. Interested in Ukraine, Balkans, Caucasus, Turkey + Central Asia. Tweets are personal. Moving to @sabinefreizer.bsky.social

[UN Women Ukraine @unwomenukraine]

Around 80 women leaders from across Ukraine gathered in Kyiv for the 2nd national #SheLeadsUkraine Forum to strengthen women’s participation in political life and decision-making.

Discussions focused on gender quotas, discrimination, electoral participation & how women can prepare for future political processes while continuing to lead communities and institutions amid Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.

The forum brought together women leaders, public institutions, civil society and experts to exchange experience and develop practical recommendations for advancing gender equality in political participation.

#SheLeadsUkraine is implemented by UN Women Ukraine in cooperation with the Central Election Commission of Ukraine and the Equal Opportunities Caucus, with financial support from the Governments of Denmark, Norway, Poland, Finland and Sweden.
#SheLeadsUkraine #WomenInPolitics #Leadership #Ukraine #Empowerment

@FinlandinUA @PLinUkraine @DKAMBinUkraine @NorwayAmbUKR @SwedeninUA @verkhovna_rada @AustriaInUA

[Sabine Freizer Gunes @SabineFreizer]

!?! More investigations & accountability needed regarding Ukrainian women held in Russian detention !?!

[Euromaidan Press @EuromaidanPress]

Russia causes the death of Kharkiv teacher illegally held in solitary confinement in Crimea
https://t.co/mhlu0lVL6K

[UN Women Ukraine @unwomenukraine]

How can local communities advance gender equality❓
🇪🇺 The European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life helps local and regional authorities turn commitments into action through six principles: equal rights, non-discrimination, balanced participation in decision-making, challenging gender stereotypes, allocating sufficient resources, and integrating a gender perspective into local governance.
Learn more 🔗 https://t.co/RFeCnwltK5

#GenderEquality #UkraineRecovery

[OCHA Ukraine @OCHA_Ukraine]

"Civilians seeking support and first responders coming to the rescue must never be a target".

The Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, @matzschmale, condemns yesterday's attack on an aid site in Komyshuvakha, #Zaporizhzhia Region.

Read more: https://t.co/fjg1MerioW

[Sabine Freizer Gunes @SabineFreizer]

Train travel remains a public service… a critical infrastructure… and sometimes a romance…

despite 8 evacuation due to Russian attacks on the Odesa-Dnipro route…

[Reuters @Reuters]

A Reuters camera crew rode an overnight passenger train from Dnipro to Odesa as its crew and travelers endured evacuations and air raid alerts, as the threat of deadly Russian drone strikes interrupt travel for citizens going about their lives https://t.co/7LyQrJGdYA

[Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) @UNHumanRightsUA]

Today, we interviewed survivors of yesterday’s jet-powered Russian drone attack on the main railway station in Dnipro – at least 15 civilians dead & 14 injured, according to local authorities. "There were around 10 people lying on the ground. Some were injured and screaming, while others may have already been dead ," an injured passenger told us.
The attack fits a pattern of intensifying attacks against railway facilities & other transport infrastructure across Ukraine, including another attack at a train station in Dnipro today, which reportedly injured at least one woman.

[Sabine Freizer Gunes @SabineFreizer]

Women who survived conflict related sexual violence in Russian detention tell what happened to them as a powerful way to seek justice

[Sabine Freizer Gunes @SabineFreizer]

After today’s deadly attack by Russian armed forces on Dnipro train station, a bus in Zaporizhzhia was hit.

At @unwomenukraine we are proud to support bus transport with Zaporizhzhia authorities & increase women drivers #SheDrives

Transport is protected under IHL

[EMPR.media @EuromaidanPR]

Another public transport hit by deadly Russian fire in Zaporizhzhia. One woman in critical condition.

[UN Women Ukraine @unwomenukraine]

Today, 29 October, is the International Day of Care and Support 🤝

Care makes our societies and economies work. Yet too often, the people providing that care – overwhelmingly women – do so without the recognition, rights, or the support they deserve.

In Ukraine, Russia’s full-scale invasion has increased the care women provide for older people, children, persons with disabilities and those who are ill. During power outages, this work grows even heavier: from ensuring children have food and water to keeping homes warm, maintaining hygiene and helping children continue learning, women carry a heavy care burden through the winter.

According to UN Women’s assessment of the gender impact of the 2025–2026 winter energy crisis in Ukraine:

🔹 women were far more likely to be the main caregivers for children (44.3% of women vs 26.4% of men);
🔹 4 in 10 people looking after children or persons with disabilities spent more time on care.

Ukraine is approaching its fifth winter of full-scale war. Winter preparedness must take women’s needs and challenges into account.

📽️ Learn more in the video.
🔗 Read the full assessment here: https://t.co/uzziVqjs4Q

#DayofCare #GenderEquality

[OCHA Ukraine @OCHA_Ukraine]

“Train journeys must never end in death and devastation.”

UN Humanitarian Coordinator @matzschmale condemns today’s Russian attack on Dnipro’s main railway station, which killed over a dozen civilians.

Full statement: https://t.co/KOUKc07dv1

[UN Women Ukraine @unwomenukraine]

Russia’s full-scale invasion continues to inflict untold suffering on Ukrainian people and women are heavily affected. Yet efforts to advance the #WomenPeaceSecurity agenda continue.

During #WPSWeek, we highlight women’s leadership in security, peacebuilding and recovery, and the importance of protecting women’s rights and ensuring their meaningful participation in decisions shaping #Ukraine’s future.

#WPS #ЖінкиМирБезпека

[UN Women Ukraine @unwomenukraine]

After 27 years of service with Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service @DPSU_ua, Viktoriia Kostur continues to learn, take on new challenges and explore new fields.

Recently, she joined non-technical survey training through UN Women’s #SheDemines programme, discovering how humanitarian mine action contributes to people’s safety and Ukraine’s recovery.

Ahead of #WPSWeek discover Viktoriia’s journey, how opportunities for women in Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service are evolving, and what inspires her to keep learning.

Read more: https://t.co/Kn6WfUl038

@GAC_Corporate @CanEmbUkraine @MFA_Croatia @mineconomdev
#WomenPeaceSecurity #WPS

[Sabine Freizer Gunes @SabineFreizer]

An absolutely amazing documentary of the transformation of survivors of conflict related sexual violence from victims to global leaders

[The New Voice of Ukraine @NewVoiceUkraine]

🎥 The Ukrainian documentary feature Traces (Slidy), codirected by Alisa Kovalenko and Marysia Nikitiuk, captured the prestigious main prize in the Checkpoints competition at the 27th Bergen International Film Festival (BIFF) in Norway

🔗 https://t.co/zrc0elKzCj

📸: tracesdocfilm | Instagram

[OCHA Ukraine @OCHA_Ukraine]

Overnight, Kyiv was rocked by a massive barrage again. At least one resident was reportedly killed and more injured, including medical personnel.

Civilian infrastructure was shattered, and basic services disrupted. This pattern of civilian harm must be brought to an end.

[Sabine Freizer Gunes @SabineFreizer]

What the downfall of Orbán and Vučić may tell us about the limitations of competitive authoritarianism & civil society’s power… looking forward to takes from Levitsky, Way, Bunce, Chenoweth, Tufekci & many more… someone please focus also on young women activists & their roles…

[Dimitar Bechev @DimitarBechev]

What's interesting - and theory relevant - is that the challenge came from civil society. Not established political parties. Several waves of protest since 2021 built momentum. People learned how to self-organise and eventually compete in elections.

https://t.co/xuY65RWdxA
4/4

[Sabine Freizer Gunes @SabineFreizer]

14 years of Vucic rule have come to an end with Students’ List victory 🇷🇸

[Balkan Insight @BalkanInsight]

https://t.co/MF1R2ZXAUx

[UN Ukraine @UN_Ukraine]

🇺🇳 Today marks 81 years of the @UN.

As Russian attacks continue across #Ukraine, we work alongside our partners to deliver aid & help communities recover.

United for the people of Ukraine & a peaceful future💙

#UnitedForUkraine

[Sabine Freizer Gunes @SabineFreizer]

Women in Ukraine are needed to fill the labor gap today and during recovery - employers will have to adjust 👷‍♀️👩‍🏭👩‍🚒

[UN Women Ukraine @unwomenukraine]

Not a Woman's Job? Women Changing the Labor Market: From Professional Stereotypes to Systemic Solutions

On 15–16 October, UN Women’s #SheDemines programme brought together women working in traditionally male-dominated fields, government agencies, business, academia, international organizations, civil society in Kyiv to discuss how to make these professions more accessible to women. From humanitarian mine action to energy, transport and manufacturing, women are already contributing to sectors vital to Ukraine’s recovery.

The discussions focused on turning these experiences into lasting change: expanding equal access to jobs, creating safe and inclusive workplaces, and ensuring women have opportunities to grow and build long-term careers.

#WPS #WomenPeaceSecurity
@GAC_Corporate @CanEmbUkraine @SabineFreizer @mineconomdev @bbcmediaaction @godivchata

[Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) @UNHumanRightsUA]

At least 328 civilians were killed, 2,105 injured in Ukraine in September – 85% more than in September 2025. In Kyiv, civilian casualties were recorded on 22 of 30 days.
As winter approaches, Russia resumed large-scale attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
https://t.co/DH8QIkpIRN

[UN Women Ukraine @unwomenukraine]

Artificial intelligence has already become part of our work, learning, and everyday tasks. But for many people, it is still a complex and unfamiliar technology.

That’s why UN Women Ukraine and AI HOUSE are launching the second cohort of the #UNWomenAISchool — a free educational programme designed to help you confidently start working with AI tools 👇

The programme runs from November 3 to 29.
Here’s what to expect:
🔹 6 online sessions with AI experts,
🔹 practical assignments after each session,
🔹 an opportunity to join two practical sessions [AI Labs] for the most active participants.

The first cohort of the UN Women AI School brought together 662 women from across Ukraine. Participants learned practical AI tools — from prompting and creating AI assistants to automating work processes — and are now using them in their work, learning, and professional development.

🔗Apply via the link: https://t.co/98Cf9bRflS

@EUDelegationUA @unfpaeecaro @UNFPAUkraine @mintsyfra